Strip feeding mechanism



Jan. 1, 1957 A. w. METZNER STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 19, 1952 @I onoll ouguon p) mm m 5 h on Nb mh wh NN m vm mw INVENTOR.

ALBERT W. MET ZNER 00 51 imW m. 5 mm II If Jan. 1, 1957 A. w. METZNER 2,775,937

STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 19, 1952 4 She'ets-Sheet 2 ALBERT W. METZNER wwiw ATTORNEY A. W. METZNER STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Jan. 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 19, 1952 INVENTOR ALBERT w. METZNER QUE ATTORNEY Jan. 1, 1957 A. w. METZNER- STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19, 1952 INVENTOR.

' ALBERT w. METZNER United States Patent STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 19, 1952, Serial No. 321,528

7 Claims. (Cl. 101-292) This invention relates to recording apparatus, and more particularly to a strip feeding attachment for a recording device such as a check signing machine.

Check signing machines and like devices are known, wherein checks or other record forms are inserted by hand in the machine which prints on or impresses in the form a signature or other indicia or both. A replaceable electrotype or signature plate in the machine effects the recording. The recording operation itself is usually an automatic one, initiated by a pressure sensitive member in the machine engaged by the record form as it is inserted therein.

The principal utility of recording machines as described is of course in. connection with large volume work, as for example in an industrial pay roll wherein large numbers of checks are issued at frequent intervals. Using the machine in the manner described, however, it is not entirely satisfactory. Thus, hand feeding and withdrawing of the checks involves the full time attention of an operator, and the possibility of error is always present, as well as a likelihood of smudging or misprinting if continuous care in handling is not exercised. Moreover, single hand feeding is not well adapted to systems using manifold check units, each comprising a plurality of check forms and interleaved transfer material. The problem of handling is accentuated, and there is further introduced the problem of obtaining accurate registration of overlying parts of the manifold form in recording position.

The instant invention proposes a modification in structure and mode of use of the conventional recording device whereby it may act upon a continuous strip of series connected checks or record forms.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as Well as the means and mode of operation of a recording devices as disclosed herein, whereby such device may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of uses, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

An object of the invention is to incorporate a recording device as described in a system operating upon and controlled by record forms comprised in a continuous record strip, such system including for exampletabulators, addressors and typewriting machines, as well as bursting or separating devices for detaching the record forms from the strip when they have been fully filled out.

Another object of the invention is to adapt a small, portable check signer or like device for use with a continuous record strip.

A further object of the invention is to modify a check signer or like device as described without alteration in the parts of the existing device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for an intermittent actuation of the aforementioned pressure sensitive member in the recording device, automatically and in predetermined timed relation to advancement of the strip.

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A still further object of the invention is to provide for positive feed and accurate registration through the use of a pin type feeding device engaging a longitudinal series of perforations along one side margin of the strip.

Still another object of the invention is to supply a supplemental or alternative feed for check signing and like recording machines in the form of a strip feeding attachment which embodies in a unitary structure strip feeding and guiding devices, including a tractor feed mechanism having a relatively long feeding engagement with the strip.

Still another object of the invention is to embody in the strip feeding attachment, an actuating means for the tractor feed mechanism, and linkage operated by such actuating means for initiating recording operations of the recording machine.

A still further object of the invention is to achieve a readily variable constant relationship between the movements of the actuating means and the advancing movements of the strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a recording apparatus possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in View as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or other equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the recording apparatus in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view of the recording apparatus in end elevation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of a portion of Fig. 1, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2, with some parts broken away and showing the crank mechanism out of home position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the pin feed mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the line '7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal section, taken substantially along line 83 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in side elevation similar to Fig. 5, with the side Wall of the mounting plate removed;

Fig. 10 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the lines 1tP1 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view in cross section taken substantially along the line 1111 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 12 is a detail view in perspective of the linkage for operating the recording machine electric control.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, strip feeding apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention is adapted for use with a commercially available recording device known as a check signer. Such device includes a body portion 10 and an overlying cover portion 11. The portions 10 and 11 are hinged at the back of the device in such manner as to present in effect a lateral slot 12 in the device opening through the front and the opposite sides thereof. A recess is provided in the bottom of the cover portion 11 wherein a replaceable electrotype or signature plate 13 is mounted. In the body portion 10, in line with the signature plate 13, is a vertically reciprocable platen (not shown). As indicated in Fig. 8, an inking ribbon 14 is arranged to traverse a path between the signature plate 13 and platen. Thus, if a record form or check is interposed between the platen and the ribbon 14, actuation of the platen toward the signature plate 13 will result in the check form and the ribbon being pressed against the signature plate in consequence of which the check form is imprinted with the indicia embossed on the signature plate.

Actuation of the platen in the check signer is accomplished by making the platen a part of a solenoid mechanism which is in turn included in a normally open electrical circuit including switch contacts 15 and 16 (see Figs. 6 and 12). Contact 15 is mounted on a stationary arm 17. Contact 16 is mounted on a flexible arm 18 biased in a direction to separate the contacts 15 and 16. The contacts 15 and 16 are closed to initiate a cycle of operation of the recording device by a pawl 19 which has a hooked portion 21 engaging the upper end of the flexible arm 18. The pawl 19 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 22 pivotally mounted intermediate its end on a stud 23. Motion of the lever 22 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 12 results in the flexible arm 18 being pulled by the pawl 19 towards the arm 17. In the course of such motion contacts 15 and 16 are engaged with one another and an electrical circuit is closed through the sole noid mechanism previously referred to. Continued mo tion of the lever 22 beyond that necessary to engage contacts 15- and 16 is possible since the hooked portion 21 of pawl 19 may ride upward over the upper end of the flexible arm 18. In the event of such action, which may be intentionally provided for to avoid prolonged energizing of the solenoid coil, the flexible arm 18 is free to return. to its normally biased position, thus separating the contacts 15 and 16 and interrupting the electrical circuit even though the pressure sensitive lever 22 be held actuated. The lever 22 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by a tension spring 24 which tends to restore and to maintain the lever and pawl 19 in the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 12. The upper end of the lever 22 projects into the slot 12 at the rear thereof. Its construction and arrangement is such that a check form inserted through the front of the slot 12 will engage a serrated edge 25 of the lever 22 and rock the lever in a clockwise direction with the results above described. After imprinting is effected, and the check form is withdrawn, the lever 22 is restored in a counterclockwise direction by the spring 24, also as before described.

The normal manner of use of the recording or check signing device is accordingly one providing for manual insertion of individual separate check forms, through the front of the slot 12. The instant invention proposes a modified or an alternative manner of use whereby a continuous strip of series connected check forms. is fed transversely through the slot 12 or from side to side thereof.

A strip feeding attachment is contemplated, comprising a plate 26 received in the slot 12 and detachably secured to the recording device, as by screws 27. The plate 26 is generally rectangular in shape, projecting at its opposite end beyond the sides of the slot 12 and projecting also from the front of the slot. At its one end the plate 26 is formed with a rounded bead 28 around which the record strip, indicated at 29, may pass to a position of rest on top of the plate 26. The strip 29 is formed with transverse weakened division lines representing the terminals of the individual check forms. The strip may for ease of handling be folded along such transverse lines as a pack. Such pack may be placed beneath the bead end of the plate 26, with its. leading end directed around the bead and beneath a lateral guide finger 31 toward the recording device, the finger 31 being suitably fastened to the side edge of the plate 26. The plate 26 functions as a support or table for the strip 29 which passes through the slot 12 and through the recording station therein represented by the location of the signature plate 13, and out of the slot 12 toward the opposite end of the table. At the recording station so identified, the plate or table 26 is formed with a cut out or recess 32 to allow freedom of access of the platen which is in the body portion 10 of the recording device to the ribbon 14 and electrotype 13, which are in the cover portion 11 of the recording device.

The strip 29 is formed along one side edge thereof with a longitudinal series of perforations 33. Near to the far end of the table 26, or that end opposite the bead 28, is a pin type feeding device which includes pins 34 having feeding engagement with the perforations 33. The pins 34, are mounted on a chain 35 which runs over longitudinally spaced apart sprocket wheels 36 and 37. The sprocket wheels 36 and 37 are rotatably mounted on respective stub shafts 38 and 39 carried by a supporting plate 41 dependent from the under side of the table 26, such plate being attached to the table by means of screws 42 and a clamp bar 43 as seen in Fig. 6. The pins 34 project through the table 26, to engage the perforations in the strip 29, by way of a longitudinal slot 44 in the table. The length of the slot 44 is such as to embrace both sprocket wheels 36 and 37. Further, the spacing between the sprocket wheels is such as to provide a relatively long straight line travel of the chain 35. Thus, several of the pins 34, in the present instance five are enabled to make simultaneous engagement in the perforations 33 in the strip 29. The feeding device thus has a relatively long engagement with or hearing in the strip 29 with the result that the strip is positively held against twisting or lateral movement relative to the feeding device. Moreover, it will be understood that in response to rotation of the sprocket wheels 36 and 37 the chain 35 is advanced in a longitudinal sense and the strip 29 which is engaged by the pins 34 is similarly and correspondingly advanced.

The perforated margin of the strip 29 is held in engagement with the pins 34 by a slotted hold down finger 45 which is connected by a hinge 46 to a plate 47 fast on the upper side surface of the table 26. Also assisting in holding down the strip upon the table 26, and inhibiting fluttering thereof, is a relatively long hold down finger 48 which extends toward the opposite end of the table 26 in front of the recording device.

In response to rotation of the sprocket wheels 36 and 37 the chain 35' revolves with the result that the pins 3.4 make successive and progressive engagement with the strip perforations 33. The strip is compelled thereby to advance longitudinally over the table 26, relatively to the recording device, the individual check forms which comprise the strip being brought successively to recording position in. the recording device.

In the sprocket. assembly, the wheel 36 may be considered an idler and the wheel 37 the driving member. Thus the sprocket wheel 36 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 38 and is held against lateral shifting motion thereon by spacers 49 and 51 (Fig. 10). The sprocket wheel 37 is rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 39 but has a gear 52 secured to the side thereof. The gear 52 has a hub portion 53 engaging the sprocket 37 on one side thereof. A washer 54 engages. the sprocket on the other side thereof. A spacer 55 is interposed between the gear 52 and the supporting plate 41, the assembly of parts comprising the gear 52, the sprocket wheel 37 and the washer 54 being held against lateral movement on the stub shaft 39 by the spacer 55 and a lock ring 56 located beyond the washer 54'.

Located in underlying and meshing relation with the gear 52 is a gear 57 rotatably mounted on stub shaft 58 in a manner similar to the described mounting of the sprocket wheels 36 and 37. The shaft 58' also is carried by the supporting'plate 41. As also seen in Fig. 9 a stub shaft 59 is located adjacent to and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the stub shaft 58. The shaft 59 is, however, mounted in a bearing block 61 installed for relative longitudinal motion in a slot 62 in a side flange or wall 63 of the table 26. A gear 64 is splined or keyed to the shaft 59 so as to rotate with the shaft but to be removable from the shaft by an axial withdrawing motion. A screw 65 normally retains the gear 64 on the shaft 59.

The gear 64 meshes with the gear 57. It is interchangeable with like gears of a different size so as to produce a diiferent extent of motion of the feeding chain 35, and thereby a different extent of movement of the strip 29, for a different degree of rotation of the shaft 59.

To accommodate gears 64 of different size the bearing block 61 in which the shaft 59 is mounted is adjustable in the slot 62 to bring the shaft 59 closer to or more distant from the shaft 58. To hold the bearing block in a selected position of adjustment there is provided a clamp 66 which assumes a complementary relation to the part of the bearing block 61 011 the opposite side of side wall 63 (see Fig. 11). The clamp and bearing block are united by a screw 67 which may be backed off to release the block 61 for sliding adjustment and tightened down to lock to block in adjusted position.

The shaft 59, which thus has a floating or adjustable mounting in the side wall 63, may be considered the drive shaft of the strip feeding attachment. It is driven by a suitable crank mechanism, which in turn may be hand operated or driven by an electric motor or the like in accordance with a conventional alternative in apparatus of the instant kind. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the shaft 59 is adapted for hand operation through a crank 68. The crank 68 has a splined engage ment with a bearing 69 pinned or otherwise secured to the shaft 59 outside the side wall 63. The crank handle is detachably held on the bearing 69 by a nut 71 screw threaded on to the outer end of the shaft 59. The crank 63 is therefore operatively connected to the shaft 59 and when rotated will effect a simultaneous and corresponding rotation of the shaft. The shaft 59 being in turn operatively connected through gears 64, 57 and 52 to the sprocket wheel 37, the motion of the crank 68 is directly efiective to drive the chain 35 and through the pins 34 thereon to feed or to advance the strip 29. As previously indicated, each revolution or partial revolution of the crank 68 may be made to achieve a different extent of travel of the strip 29 by the substitution of gears 64 of different size. Such gears are selected to achieve a predetermined extent of travel of the strip which may for example be that required to advance the strip one form length relatively to the recording position in the recording device. Hence the adjustable mounting for the bearing block 61 allows the strip feeding apparatus to be readily adjusted to feed a strip wherein the form lengths are greater or lesser than the form length of the strips previously acted upon.

The crank 68 is suitably controlled so that its movement will occur in accurately defined increments, each effecting a desired uniform increment of advance of the record strip. In the present instance such increment is one full revolution. At its outer or free end the crank 66 is formed with or has attached thereto a lateral cylindrical extension 72 having a through bore 73 and counterbore 74. The bore 73 mounts a plunger 75 having an annular flange 76 adapted to seat in the bottom of counterbore 74. The outer end of the counterbore receives a bushing 77 with a press fit through which bushing the outer end of the plunger 75 projects into a press fit with a solid filler member 78. A handle sleeve 79 surrounds the extension 72 and receives the filler member "76 in its counterbored outer end, the filler member and handle sleeve being detachably connected, as by staking or the like. A compression spring 81 is interposed between the flange 76 and the bushing 77 and tends to maintain the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 4 with the sleeve 79 and the plunger 75, which have a unitary relationship, in a leftward or extended position. The handle sleeve 79 is arranged to be grasped in the hand and thereby moved axially to a retracted position, along with the plunger 75.

The plunger projects through and beyond the crank 68 and has a reduced diameter extension 82 adapted to enter a detent slot or opening 83 in the side wall 63. Along one side of the opening 83 is a projecting flange 84. Fig. 4 illustrates the parts in normal or home position, the plunger extension 82 being received in the opening 83 and so locking the crank 68 against movement. To initiate a cycle of operation, the handle sleeve 79 is retracted a distance sufiicient to enable the plunger extension 82 to clear the flange 84. Then the crank may be turned through a full revolution, in the course of which the holding pressure applied to the handle sleeve 79 may be relaxed. The plunger extension then rides along the surface of the wall 63, in the manner indicated in Fig. 7, during the continued rotation of the crank. Near the end of the cycle the plunger extension 82 drops into the slot or opening 83, signaling the completion of one cycle or revolution of operation. The flange 84 serves as an abutment to positively arrest the plunger in the event it tends to over travel the opening 83 as a result of a rapid turning motion of the crank.

The operation of the crank mechanism is utilized to effect imprinting operations of the recording device in synchronism with movement of the crank. It is contemplated and proposed that since each check form arrives in recording position at the same time that the crank 68 arrives in home position, then the return of the crank to home position shall initiate the recording operation. As seen in Fig. 12, the lower end of the switch actuating lever 22 is provided with a stud 85 engaged by one leg of a U-shaped actuator 86. The other leg of such actuator is rigidly connected to a collar 87 on one end of a rod 38, having a rotatable mounting in a bracket 89 on the table 26. Near its opposite end the rod 88 has a radially projecting armor fin 91 which extends downwardly and rearwardly in generally parallel relation to the side wall 63, through a slot 92 in the table 26, to a position adjacent to and in line with the opening 83. When the crank handle is in home position, the plunger or plunger extension 82 engages the fin 91, rocking the fin and associated linkage in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, and thereby effecting a similar motion of the lever 22. In response to such motion, as has previously been seen, the pawl 19 is pulled in a manner initially effecting engagement of the contacts 15 and 16 and then allowing such contacts to separate.

In the operation of the apparatus, therefore, when the plunger extension 82 is withdrawn from the opening 83, the fin 91 and associated parts are allowed to follow such motion under the urging of the spring 24. The assembly assumes the position shown in full line in Fig. 12 with the contacts 15 and 16 separated and the flexible arm 18 engaged by the hooked portion 21 of the pawl 19 in position to be flexed toward the stationary arm 17 in response to a pulling motion of the pawl. Upon return of the crank mechanism to home position, the plunger extension 82 reengages and rocks the fin 91, such fin and associated parts moving to the dotted line position of Fig. 12. In the course of such movement, the arm 18 is moved to engage the contacts 15 and 16 and an imprinting operation results as before described. As such movement is continued, the pawl 19 rides up out of engaging relation with the arm 18 whereupon this arm returns to its normal position, interrupting the circuit established by the closing of the contacts 15 and 16 and freeing the strip for the next advance by the strip feeding apparatus. The parts remain so positioned until again conditioned for operation by withdrawal of the plunger 75 at the start of the next succeeding cycling operation.

The screws 42, through which the supporting plate 41 is attached to the table 26, extend through slightly elongated slots 93 in the table. The arrangement provides for vernier adjustment of the strip feeding mechanism whereby accurate adjustment of the madifold copies of the record strip 29 may be achieved.

The substitution of larger and smaller gears 64 involves a lateral adjustment of the block 61 and shaft 59, to retain meshing engagement of the selected gear 64 with the gear 57. The slot 83 is accordingly elongated in a horizontal direction, and the fin 91 is similarly elongated, in order that the extension 82 may achieve cooperative engagement with the tin in any laterally adjusted position of the shaft 59.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the characeter described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification inits form, proportions, detail con struction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, 1. claim:

1. Recording apparatus for effecting mechanical imprinting upon check forms and the like, including a recording device having a slot opening through the front and sides thereof, a table installed on said device for guiding a record strip through said slot by Way of the sides thereof, said strip being made up of a series connected record forms and perforated along only one side edge, said strip being arranged on said table with the perforated edge received in said slot and the opposite side edge projecting from the front of said slot, pin feeding apparatus mounted on said table engaged with the perforations in the strip, and means for operating the pin feeding apparatus to advance the strip.

2. Recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by first and second hold down means for said strip, the first said means extending in embracing relation to the pins of said pin feeding apparatus and the second said means being relatively elongated and extending in front of said recording device outside said slot.

3. Recording apparatus, including a mechanical imprinting device having an imprinting station, a strip supporting table removably attached to said device in position to conduct a continuous strip of series connected record forms past said station, a plate supported on said table for relative longitudinal adjustments toward and from said imprinting station, strip feeding apparatus mounted on said plate, and a crank mechanism for operating said strip feeding apparatus bodily adjustable relatively to said strip feeding apparatus.

4. Recording apparatus, including a mechanical imprinting device having an imprinting station, a strip supporting table reinovably attached to said device for conducting a continuous strip of series connected record forms past said station, a plate supported on said table for longitudinal adjustment toward and from said imprinting station, strip feeding apparatus, mounted on said plate and including a gear, a crank mechanism including another gear meshing with the first said gear, one of said gears being replaceable and said crank mechanism being adjustable relatively to said strip feeding apparatus to compensate for adjustment of said plate and for replacement of said replaceable gear with one of larger or smaller size.

5. Recording apparatus, including a mechanical imprinting device having an imprinting station and selectively operable imprinting means, a part movable to operate said imprinting means, a strip supporting table attached to said device for conducting a continuous strip of series connected record forms past said station, strip feeding apparatus mounted on said table including a gear train, strip engaging means at one end of said gear train, a crank at the other end thereof, said crank being bodily adjustable for the substitution of larger and smaller gears in said gear train, and means defining a rest position for said crank in which position it is in cooperative relation with said part, said part having an elongated formation for maintained cooperative relation with said crank in any position of bodily adjustment thereof.

6. Recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said table is formed with a side portion extending between said movable part and said crank, said side portion having an elongated slot aligned with the elongated formation of said part and through which said crank is engageable with said part.

7. In a recording apparatus for effecting mechanical imprinting upon check forms and the like, a recording device, a strip feeding attachment mounted on said device to supply to said device for imprint successive check forms series connected in a continuous strip, said attachment including a table over which said strip is advanced and said recording device having a transverse through slot in substantially planar relation to the surface of the table through which the strip is passed in response to advance over said table, said table extending beyond said recording device in said substantially planar relation to the slot in said device, a pin feed mechanism supported by said table in advance of said recording device, said strip being formed with a longitudinal series of perforations engageable by said pin feeding mechanism, means for actuating said mechanism to advance the strip, and a hold down finger extending along said table from a point approximately parallel with said pin feed mechanism to and beyond said recording device in laterally offset relation to said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,931 Winter July 7, 1936 2,131,895 Kolm et al. Oct. 4, 1938 2,179,156 Mabon Nov. 7, 1939 2,200,308 Sherman et al May 14, 1940 2,208,964 Doty et al. July 23, 1940 2,258,799 Payne Oct. 14, 1941 2,561,899 Metzner Aug. 1, 1950 2,522,224 Hedinger Sept. 12, 1950 

